From the seductive decor in bordello red, with bar, sofas, small tables and booths in an enchanting blend, this place is slick. We could be anywhere in the world, but this is Melker Andersson and Danyel Couet’s Östermalm, where the women like bubbles in their glasses and the men all have beards. The smart, minimalistic menu offers 15 “salty” dishes and six “sweet”, broadly embracing all of Asia. A sesame-sprinkled rack of lamb, Korean BBQ-style, comes with asparagus, broccoli and goat's cheese cream. It’s a home run. So, too, is the duck confit with ginger and Asian pear, though the spices sometimes knock over the other ingredients. The tuna with wasabi, yuzu-soy and Avruga caviar is also seriously yummy, one of our faves. Or does the initial lobster taco with a wasabi and avocado cream still take the prize? The drinks we choose are good, well matched, and doled out liberally. And so is the ending. What could it be? Our fleet-footed waiter proposes a combination of all the desserts, all seven, in a grand dessert. It is a beautiful performance with chocolate and plum, coconut with tapioca and fruit salad, mango with kaffir lime, and a spicy crème brûlée with apple and almond. But what about ice cream, ask the children. Done! And some sorbet for the adults, at the conclusion of a trip through Östermalm’s orient...

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Top 30 Nordic List

With over 100 Masters Level restaurants, the Nordic countries offer a wide variety of excellent culinary experiences. The Top 30 are all at the Global Masters level and they include some of the best restaurants in the world.